Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Anna Kournikova

Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova is a Russian professional tennis player and model. Her celebrity status made her one of the best known tennis players worldwide. At the peak of her fame, fans looking for images of Kournikova made her name one of the most common search strings on the Internet search engine Google.Although also successful in singles, reaching No. 8 in the world in 2000, Kournikova's specialty has been doubles, where she has at times been the World No. 1 player. With Martina Hingis as her partner, she won Grand Slam titles in Australia in 1999 and 2002. Based on their looks, Hingis and Kournikova facetiously referred to themselves as the "Spice Girls of Tennis". Kournikova's professional tennis career has been curtailed for the past several years, and possibly ended, by serious back and spinal problems. She currently resides in Miami Beach, Florida, and plays in occasional exhibitions and in doubles for the St. Louis Aces of World Team Tennis.Career statistics---SinglesCareer record: 209–129Career titles : 0 WTA, 2 ITFHighest ranking : No. 8 (20 November 2000)-Grand Slam resultsAustralian Open : QF (2001)French Open: 4R (1998, 1999)Wimbledon : SF (1997)US Open : 4R (1996, 2002)-Major tournamentsWTA Championships : SF (2000)Olympic Games : 1R (1996)---DoublesCareer record : 200–71Career titles : 16 WTAHighest ranking : No. 1 (22 November 1999)-Grand Slam Doubles resultsAustralian Open : W (1999, 2002)French Open : F (1999)Wimbledon : SF (2000, 2002)US Open : QF (1996, 2002)-Major doubles tournamentsWTA Championships : W (1999, 2000)awards* 1996: WTA Newcomer of the Year* 1999: WTA Doubles Team of the Year (with Martina Hingis)* 2002: ESPN Hottest Female AthletestaticsCountry : Russia/ United StatesResidence : Miami Beach, Florida, United StatesDate of birth : 7 June 1981 (1981-06-07)Place of birth : Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet UnionHeight: 1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)Weight : 56 kg (120 lb)Turned pro : October 1995Plays : Right; Two-handed backhandCareer prize money : US$3,584,662